The University of Hawaii football team received a verbal commitment Friday from former California cornerback Chigozie Anusiem, a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility.
Anusiem, a former four-star recruit out of Sonora High School in California, made his announcement on social media and tagged UH assistant coaches Trent Figg and Kim McCloud. Figg coaches the defensive backs and McCloud the cornerbacks.
“Thank you to every coach who reached out and gave me an opportunity to continue playing football,” Anusiem wrote. "With that being said after long prayer and talks with my family, I am excited to say that I will be furthering my college career at the University of Hawaii."
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Anusiem made three starts in 2021 for the Golden Bears, recording 13 total tackles and two pass break-ups. He compiled a career-high five tackles at TCU on Sept. 11. However, he stopped seeing action after the first seven games.
Anusiem announced he was entering the NCAA transfer portal on Nov. 24, when the Bears had two games remaining in the season. Cal went 5-7 overall and 4-5 in the Pac-12 Conference in 2021.
He saw his most extensive action as a redshirt freshman in 2019, when he appeared in 12 games and recorded 15 tackles and five pass break-ups on the season.
The next National Letter of Intent signing period is Dec. 15 to 17.
UH has had several notable player defections to the transfer portal following the completion of the 2021 regular season, including starting quarterback Chevan Cordeiro and running back Dae Dae Hunter, amid reported discussions of team morale under head coach Todd Graham.
The Rainbow Warriors are slated to play Memphis in the EasyPost Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
